Why can't anyone hear me???

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Yep - all of this sounds very familiar.

It dawned on me some years ago that a part of my problem is also incorrect intonation - which I suspect makes even adequately loud dialog difficult for people to properly understand.

Aimless, you had a good point about projecting. I've found that volume isn't always the answer. Plus, for those who are naturally soft-voiced (as well as those of us with acute Aspie hearing), it's entirely possible to put TOO much effort into volume and end up with sore throats besides hurting our own ears - not to (re)mention the embarrassment many Aspies feel when drawing (unwanted)) attention to ourselves. So, projecting...something that definitely could be learned via acting/drama/singing classes...is something I've experimented with on my own. In certain acoustic situations (such as a classroom set up with conducive number of desks, certain wall dimensions, etc.), I have successfully spoken to the instructor while not being heard by students who were SITTING IN THE VERY NEXT ROW. This experimenting is encouraging to me in that, during the times I prefer to remain anonymous, there's possibility of still speaking to/with someone while not being (over)heard by those nearby. I'll bet formal acting, et al training classes could further those attempting desired pitch.

In terms of the drive-thru experiences, projecting/pitch may help some. Volume definitely helps. From personal experience, I know that those using drive-thru headsets have a working environment equivalent of a zoo at full volume. Much like Deaf individuals have experienced with 'hearing aids' (which only serve to AMPLIFY sounds), drive-thru ordertakers must filter through a cacaphony of speech/noise created by customers and co-workers (co-workers' noises can also include radio-playing as insisted upon by those bored during night-shift) within the restaurant, must ignore the repeated or continuous bells and whistles of equipment (very difficult when, as is often the case, stationed directly by the cookers, fryers, etc.), AND must decipher through exterior noises (amplified when headsets are turned up) which may include immediate street traffic (including blaring sirens), passing trains (one store I worked at actually had to WAIT UNTIL THE TRAIN HAD PASSED ENTIRELY before being able to take a drive-thru order -- which played absolute havoc with our speed-times, 75 seconds for order-taking and 90 seconds for 'hand-off' in this case), barking dogs, and even beefed-up/mufferless vehicles within the drive-thru wait line itself. They also must greet, answer questions, and take money from those already arriving to the window while, simultaneously taking the order of a car that may be as many as 5 or 6 vehicles back.

My point, really, is just that it's not something for Aspies to feel 'targeted' about. Please don't think it's 'just you'. I'm much like what I've read in the other posts and have heard from others around me. Going through a drive-thru can be an exercise in frustration-almost-futility. Having experienced both sides (being the customer of drive-thrus and attempting to be an employee of drive-thrus), I can offer the suggestion that, should one be unable to avoid using a drive-thru and is experiencing difficulty, just drive directly to the window. Ordering there and waiting there will 'kill' their time which often leads to 'managers' applying improvement techniques.

Truthfully, the drive-thru concept would work much better with an actual 'walkie-talkie' system (in which one person depresses a button, speaks a message, releases the button for conclusion, and then a 2nd speaker repeats the process) but, given the destructive nature of some drive-thru customers, implementation of such remains highly unlikely. But, I hope we Aspies may experience more success with the unwieldy drive-thrus though...they can be kinda handy.

I gotta check out that link...

Wow! I can identify with every post in this thread. I have struggled with this my whole life. It never dawned on me that it could be an Aspie thing. Its good to know that I am not the only one who experiences this. Question though: does anyone find that they manage to speak loud enough for people you know well and are comfortable with? I do, and I think either I don't have social anxiety with them, or they have just gotten use to me and adapted over the years. Another thought: in trying to understand why I talk to low and soft for people to hear me, I wonder if I am anxious, distracted by my surroundings, and having to focus so much on figuring out what to say and how to say it, that I forget my voice. Does that make sense to anyone?